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Installing Xorg And A Window Manager In Arch Linux

2 min read 6 months ago

Published on Aug 14, 2024 This response is partially generated with the help of AI. It may contain inaccuracies.

Table of Contents

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of installing Xorg and a window manager in Arch Linux. After setting up the base system, it’s essential to install a graphical environment for a better user experience. We will also cover enabling the Arch User Repository (AUR) and installing Yay, a popular AUR helper.

Step 1: Update the System

Before installing any new packages, ensure your system is up to date. This helps avoid potential conflicts.

Open your terminal.
Run the following command:
```
sudo pacman -Syu
```

Step 2: Install Xorg

Next, install the Xorg server, which is necessary for managing the graphical user interface.

In the terminal, execute:

sudo pacman -S xorg-server xorg-apps xorg-xinit

This command installs the Xorg server along with essential applications and the xinit command for starting Xorg.

Step 3: Choose and Install a Window Manager

You need to select a window manager to provide the graphical interface. Popular options include i3, Openbox, and XFCE. For this guide, we’ll use i3.

To install i3, run:
```
sudo pacman -S i3
```

Step 4: Configure xinitrc

The xinitrc file is crucial for starting your graphical session with the chosen window manager.

Create or edit the ~/.xinitrc file:
```
nano ~/.xinitrc
```
Add the following line to start i3:
```
exec i3
```
Save the file and exit (CTRL + X, then Y, and Enter).

Step 5: Install Yay for AUR Access

Yay is an AUR helper that simplifies package management from the AUR.

First, install the necessary base development tools:
```
sudo pacman -S base-devel git
```

Clone the Yay repository:

git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.git

Navigate into the cloned directory:
```
cd yay
```
Build and install Yay:
```
makepkg -si
```

Step 6: Start Xorg and Your Window Manager

After everything is set up, you can start your graphical environment.

In the terminal, run:
```
startx
```
This command initializes Xorg and launches your window manager (i3 in this case).

Conclusion

You have successfully installed Xorg and a window manager on Arch Linux, as well as set up Yay for AUR access. You can now enjoy a graphical desktop environment. As a next step, explore customizing your window manager or installing additional software from the AUR to enhance your system further.

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